College friend let it slip last night they make $750,000 a year and I’m sick

[Anonymous]

OP, people need to rely on friends. Sometimes people need to feel as if they don't need to hide personal details from their friends, their very best friends. My BFF from college, she and her husband became multi-millionaires in their 30's. To me it felt like it happened overnight. He started a company and sold it. She needed to share her worries, her thoughts. There were huge changes going on in her life. She needed someone to talk to, someone safe. It had to be someone who would think the best of her - it's exhausting to have to worry constantly about what you say precisely, how you say it, and who you say it to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Growing up and working in this area, I learned pretty quickly not to think too much about other people's salaries whenever the topic comes up. There will always be someone in the group who's killing it. Your salary will never be "high enough" if you keep thinking about how much others make.

+1

We have a friend group of about 4-5 couples, and two of the couples have a DH and DW with the exact same professions. One couple is loaded, and the other is just getting by. The second one REALLY resents the first one, and it is obvious why (when you know them, and spend time around them, you see it). There is no family money on either side. But you know what? There is not a damn thing that couple can do about the other couple that is loaded. Sure, the couple can wish a million bad things on the couple with more money - but it will never matter. Either enjoy them as friends or don't - but keep this kind of crap out of your mind, or you eat yourself alive, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stop thinking about this. It’s not like some flashy tech job with stock options or dental surgeon or law partner. Totally unexpected.

You ever been caught off guard after a friend let it slip they’re doing really well?

Why are you sick, OP?

[Anonymous]

This is why I enjoy living in a middle class neighborhood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing up and working in this area, I learned pretty quickly not to think too much about other people's salaries whenever the topic comes up. There will always be someone in the group who's killing it. Your salary will never be "high enough" if you keep thinking about how much others make.

+1

We have a friend group of about 4-5 couples, and two of the couples have a DH and DW with the exact same professions. One couple is loaded, and the other is just getting by. The second one REALLY resents the first one, and it is obvious why (when you know them, and spend time around them, you see it). There is no family money on either side. But you know what? There is not a damn thing that couple can do about the other couple that is loaded. Sure, the couple can wish a million bad things on the couple with more money - but it will never matter. Either enjoy them as friends or don't - but keep this kind of crap out of your mind, or you eat yourself alive, OP.

Why would this happen? I don't understand why, if there's no family money, the other couple couldn't eventually be where the "loaded" one is if they're in the same profession.

Is it something like a tangential project paid off? Like academics, one of whom managed to option an academic research text into a popular book or tv series or something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I enjoy living in a middle class neighborhood

Lol. Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did you think s/he earned?

Never gave it much thought. I guess $200k-250k? Nowhere near $750k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you think s/he earned?

Never gave it much thought. I guess $200k-250k? Nowhere near $750k.

Is this some weird lobbying thing?

[Anonymous]

If they are your friend, why wouldn’t you be happy for them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I enjoy living in a middle class neighborhood

Lol. Same.

What about that whole millionaire next door/Dave Ramsey thing? The middle class neighbors may have more liquid assets than those in the rich neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I enjoy living in a middle class neighborhood

Lol. Same.

What about that whole millionaire next door/Dave Ramsey thing? The middle class neighbors may have more liquid assets than those in the rich neighborhood.

Yea, but that type of person isnt going to brag, I mean, let it slip how wealthy thry are.

Out HHi is over 500k and no way in hell would i tell someone that. Mainly because i dont havr anything to prove and i wouldnt want to make someone feel bad.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard anyone let their income "slip" except many years ago when we were getting out of business school and we were comparing offers.

[Anonymous]

Ya, there is no way it slips

The person was bragging

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I enjoy living in a middle class neighborhood

Lol. Same.

What about that whole millionaire next door/Dave Ramsey thing? The middle class neighbors may have more liquid assets than those in the rich neighborhood.

They don't though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ya, there is no way it slips

The person was bragging

Np here. If you are in the same profession, it is not crazy to seek advice or talk money amongst peers.

The only person I ever told that DH broke a million is my best friend. We tell each other everything. I didn’t mention the figures but she knows when he broke a million.

My not as close girlfriends are often very proud of their husbands. I often downplay dh’s successes.